Bradley’s family wrote on Facebook on Saturday: “Update on Brad is....he is very weak and finding breathing difficult but he is fighting it.

Bradley Lowery falls asleep with Jermain Defoe.

“He insisted on having a party and he invited his cousins and girlfriend Poppy yesterday.

“They all laid on the bed having cuddles I think it was his way of saying his goodbyes. Late last night his best friend Jermain came to visit him and it was so heart-warming seeing how Bradley reacted.

“He was so happy and laid for ages getting cuddles. Bradley was really relaxed with him.”

Bradley Lowery

Defoe, 34, made the trip to see Bradley’s family on the same day he joined Bournemouth from Sunderland, the team Bradley supports.

Earlier, his mother Gemma said her son was battling on.

She said: “Bradley is very weak now but is still fighting on in true Bradley style. He will only go when he decides. Xxx”

His Facebook page also went on to warn against fake social media and fundraising sites set up in his name to obtain ‘likes’ and cash

The family posted: ‘We have been made aware of fake pages created in Bradley’s name to gain likes and even have JustGiving pages linked to them, please be vigilant.